"Where Do I Invest Cash?" Holding a PCS House Down Payment #151

The Military Money Manual Podcast

Spencer and Jamie address a listener question about where to save money for a house down payment, which leads to a broader discussion about short-term savings strategies based on different time horizons.

Main Topics & Questions Covered:

• Where to save money for a house down payment
• How to handle proceeds from a home sale while waiting to buy another property
• When to keep money in cash vs. when to invest it
• Different savings vehicle options for different time horizons

Key Points Discussed:

Short-term savings (0-3 months):

• Keep in checking account
• Use for immediate bills and expenses
• Consider automated savings for regular expenses

Medium-term savings (3 months - 1 year):

• High-yield savings accounts (HYSA)
• Money market accounts
• Consider proximity to primary bank for transfers

Longer-term savings (1-5 years):

• HYSAs
• CDs (including no-penalty CDs)
• Treasury ETFs (SGOV, SCUS mentioned as examples)
• Avoid stock market investments due to risk

Beyond 5 years:

• Can consider stock market investments
• Focus on long-term growth strategies
• Align with financial independence goals

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